What is the main risk associated with phishing?

The main risk associated with phishing is unauthorized access to personal information. Phishing is a technique used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal data. This is often accomplished through deceptive emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, prompting users to click on links or provide information that can then be exploited.

When successful, phishing attacks can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and various forms of fraud because the criminals gain access to information that can be used for malicious purposes. It's crucial for individuals to remain vigilant about the information they share online and to recognize the signs of phishing attempts to protect themselves from these types of risks.

In contrast, loss of internet connectivity, installation of antivirus software, and delayed email response times do not directly relate to the primary threat posed by phishing schemes, making them less relevant in the context of this discussion.